Stunning North Beach home in running for architectural award

Banham Architects' house in North Beach. Banham Architects' house in North Beach.

ON a North Beach block with enviable views of the Indian Ocean, Banham Architects has designed a decidedly modern beach house for its retired owners.

The coastal family residence is an entry in this year’s Australian Institute of Architects WA Architecture Awards in the residential house and interiors categories. It is also vying for the Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture.

The brief from the clients was simple – to create a home that was open, relaxed and embraced the views of the ocean.

“To a large extent they left it up to us,” Banham Architects director Steeg Banham said.

“The clients were downsizing and they lived next door for close to 40 years, and had originally engaged us to redesign the house on that block.

“But then this block came up for sale and they decided it was much easier to build brand-new than to have to move and then move again.”

The owners had worked with Banham Architects before and liked the clean, modern style the design firm were known for.

“They wanted a house that was going to be elegant, stylish and did not date, while also being maintenance-free,” Mr Banham said.

“They’ve got 15 grandkids so even though it is actually quite a modest house because there’s only the two of them living there, it had to be designed to entertain a large family.”

Working with Jennifer Turner from Turner Interior Design, the 300sqm home has a clean, modern aesthetic that adopts natural materials where possible.

Stone-clad walls anchor the building to the site and, in contrast, a series of horizontal white blades form the roofs.

To personalise the space, meaningful objects were integrated into the design, including a series of commissioned photographs shot by Tony Hewitt that captured aerial views of the owner’s favourite beaches.

“In terms of the layout, the master bedroom is on the ground floor so the clients don’t have to contend with stairs and then the upstairs is really only for when the grandkids come to visit and stay.” Mr Banham said.

Built by Grange Residential and Construction, the home also has sliding doors to the outdoor terrace that were designed to maximise the opening to allow the living areas to flow outside.

“Their main day-to-day living is on the ground floor and it’s about embracing the view – you have a view of the ocean from every room in the house except perhaps the powder room and the study,” Mr Banham said.

“And having lived on that street for such a long time, all the outdoor areas are at the front of the home so the clients can wave to the neighbours as they walk to the beach.”

The WA Architecture Awards will be presented on Friday at Crown Towers. The public is invited to view the exhibition of entries on weekdays until June 30, 9am-5pm, at Allendale Square in Perth. Visit www.architecture.com.au.